Edith Stein - St. Teresa Benedicta of the Crioss, Patron of Europe

Tuesday August 9th.

Sun Flowers 9th August

It is the feast day of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross

A PostIt for Introduction to the Mass missed the fact that the celebration of Edith Stein is of one of the Patrons of Europe.

The last paragraph of the Reading of the Night Office puts to well the elements of her life.  

The elements in her life that formed her - Jewish, German, a philosopher, a woman, a Christian, a Carmelite - make her stand out. She was one of millions, but she was also outstanding, an exemplar, a witness, a martyr. Each one of us is a mystery. We respect mysteries not by solving them, but by contemplating them. The mystery of Edith Stein should prompt in us neither triumphal ism nor resentment. We cannot smooth all the rough edges, but we can ponder with humility. 

The Prayers of the Sacramentary. 

St. TERESA BENFDICTA OF THE CROSS - 9^th Aug.

Edith Stein was born of Jewish parents in 1891, becoming an influential philosopher following her extensive studies at major German universities. Following her conversion to Catholicism she became a major force in German intellectual life, entering the Discalced Carmelites in 1933. Sister Teresa Benedicta was arrested by the Nazi regime on August 2, 1942, along with all Catholics of Jewish extraction, and transported by cattle train to the death camp: of Auschwitz: where she died in the gas chambers that same year .•

Collect 
God our Father,

you give us joy each year in honouring

the memory of Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross.

May her prayers be a source of help for us,

and may her example of courage and chastity be our inspiration.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFIS

Lord, receive our gifts

as you accepted the suffering and death

of Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross

in whose honour we celebrate this Eucharist.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Prayer after COMMUNION

Lord God, may the mysteries we receive
give us the spiritual courage which made
your martyr Saint Teresa benedicta of the Cross
faithful in your service and victorious in her suffering.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.